Sudden change in clutch pedal feel

[Ziffdaddy]

I replaced my clutch master/slave months ago and it's been great. Yesterday, I drove to the mall and when I left, the clutch pedal had some sponginess to it. It engaged a little vaguely, as well, and maybe even felt like there was a slight slip...but that could have been due to the pedal feel change and me clutching wrong until I realized the problem. She's a stock 74' in really nice shape and I don't believe the clutch has ever been replaced. I haven't gotten a chance to really get into it yet, but a quick look with the flashlight didn't show any leaks (externally, that is).

-Could the pedal just, all of a sudden, need to be adjusted?

-Could the clutch just go bad, without any previous slipping or anything?

-Or maybe something just got stuck?

Thanks for the input guys...

-Stephen

 

[Poser]

Look at things and make sure everything is where it is supposed to be.

Have someone operate the pedal, you watch the slave and make sure things are moving like they are supposed to.

Try bleeding the system...

 

[Ziffdaddy]

Thanks for the reply, I will do that this weekend. So, maybe a rogue air bubble or something in the fluid? Thanks again.

-Stephen

 

[lostmarbles]

I had a similar experience and I connect it with using a hose and degreaser in my engine bay.

Some time afterwards I noticed my fluid was black in colour and the seals disintegrated soon after that.

I think I must have splashed some "POR15 marine clean" onto the master cylinder reservoir lid and from there it may have entered the fluid. --- But this is only a guess. I can't think of any other cause because I regularly change my fluid and my master and slave weren't that old before that happened.



PS -I've made a mental note to always cover my reservoirs in cling-wrap if I ever clean the engine bay that way again.

 

[Downey]

The V6 Toyota Pickups/4 Runners have a clutch pedal mounting bracket problem that would be rare on Landcruisers, but it can't hurt to look. Make sure the under dash bracket that the clutch pedal pivots from is not cracked and moving during pedal cycling.

 

[Ziffdaddy]

great info guys, thanks!